Westgate Weekly News - Student Pickup/Drop Off of Materials - Friday, June 5

Good Afternoon Westgate Families,

I hope this finds you enjoying the beautiful spring like weather over the past few days.  It is hard to believe that we are entering into the final two weeks of the school year.  Although it ended quite differently than it started, we can't thank you enough for your continued support of our teachers and our greater school community.  We feel beyond grateful to have such understanding, patient, and kind families as we navigated so many "firsts" during this time.  We also can't thank you enough for your commitment to your child's learning and academic growth during these unprecedented and challenging months.     

In an effort to close out the year, we are reminding you that this Friday, June 5, from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. we will be distributing student belongings & medications that were left prior to the school closure on March 13.  We are also asking that you bring back any library or classroom books that your child may still have at home.  To assist us in maintaining a smooth line of vehicles, we are asking that you please put a piece of paper on your dashboard indicating your child's grade, teacher, and last name.  (For example: 2nd - Mr. Cooper - Demetriades).  If you are picking up medications, please list that as well.  This will help our team quickly identify you and enable us to gather your materials as quickly as possible.  Please see additional details below.   

As always, thank you for your continued support of all things Westgate.  We look forward to "seeing" many of you when you pick up materials this Friday.  Although it will certainly not be our usual way of saying goodbye for the year, I can't tell you how excited we are to see some familiar faces again.  Have a wonderful rest of your week and let us know if you need anything from us!

All my best,

Hallie Demetriades 

Principal 

Student Materials Pick-Up/Drop off Day - June 5 - 9:30 -11:30 am

Families will have an opportunity to pick up and drop off student items on June 5 from 9:30 - 11:30 am.  This includes medications.  Teachers have individually bagged student items that were left prior to our closure on March 13.  Bags will be organized outside the school building by grade level and class.  Please review the following guidelines:

• Please write your child's grade, teacher's name, and child's last name on a piece of paper.  Please place this on the dashboard of your vehicle.
• Students in Grades PK-2 will pickup student materials in the Kiss & Ride line.  
• Students in Grades 3-6 will pickup student materials in the upper bus parking lot (next to cafeteria).  
• If you have students in different grade levels (i.e. 2nd and 4th) you will need to go through both lines to pick up materials.
• Students and parents must stay in car if driving to pick up materials.  Social distancing guidelines are required if you are walking (masks need to be worn). 
• School staff will facilitate in distribution and retrieval of materials through car windows and while wearing protective gear. (masks and gloves)
• Library/Classroom Books: We are asking that ALL library and classroom books from school are returned when you collect your student's materials.  We will have large bins to return these items.  
• Instruments: Students in 4th and 5th grade who have rented an instrument through FCPS may hold on to those instruments during the summer months. However, 6th grade students and students NOT returning to FCPS must turn in their instruments on Friday, June 5.  
• Staff will not be able to go back in the building if you feel something is missing from your student's items.  If you have a concern, please email the classroom teacher directly and we can work with them to problem solve.
• If you are unable to pick up student materials on June 5, the school will hold them until it is safe for students to return to the school building.

This is clearly going to be a new process for all of us.  We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we try to both give you your student's items and retrieve those items needed from the school.  If you have student specific questions, please contact your child's teacher.   

Music Options for Rising 4^th Graders (Current 3rd Graders) for the 2020-21 School Year

In fourth grade, students get the privilege to participate in Strings class in addition to their general music instruction.  Next year, each student will be attending their special in a group geared toward their musical interest.  In order to put each student in their preferred group, we need to know what their interest is.  Our strings teacher, Mr. Sipzner, has created a presentation to explain to you and your child everything there is to know about the Strings program here at Westgate.  Please go through this presentation with your child and have a discussion to decide what to participate in for next year.  After the discussion, please complete this REQUIRED google form to guide the music staff in their music groups.  This form MUST be completed, even if your child does NOT want to participate in Strings by FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2020.  If you have any questions about the Strings program, please email Mr. Sipzner at jjsipzner@fcps.edu. 

Strings Music Presentation:  https://youtu.be/OpNSsyYIKwM

REQUIRED Google Form:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kBKUeyHkPdR24cPEz77DM54vxuixDPltYy-KayOwU0w/edit?usp=sharing

Music Options for Rising 5^th and 6^th Grades (Current 4^th and 5^th Graders) for the 2020-21 School Year

In fifth and sixth grades, students get the privilege to continue to participate in Strings class OR participate in Band and/or Chorus in addition to their general music instruction.  Each student will be attending their special in a group geared toward their musical interest.  In order to put each student in their preferred group, we need to know what their interest is.  Our music team (Mrs. Schubert, Ms. Lammers, Mr. Erickson, and Mr. Sipzner) have created a presentation to explain to you and your child everything there is to know about each of these programs here at Westgate.  Please go through this presentation with your child and have a discussion to decide what to participate in for next year.   After the discussion, please complete this REQUIRED google form to guide the music team in their music groups by FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2020.  This form MUST be completed, even if your child does NOT want to participate in any of these extra music options.  If you have any questions about these music options, please contact anyone from the music team:

Band Questions, email Mr. Erickson at PGErickson@fcps.edu

Strings Questions, email Mr. Sipzner at  jjsipzner@fcps.edu

Chorus Questions, email Mrs. Schubert at vjschubert@fcps.edu or Ms. Lammers at alammers@fcps.edu

Band, Strings, and Chorus Presentation:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6CAfK82xt8&t=17s

REQUIRED Google Form:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1X-dj9_HEeP-dta5xmMeppzF2H__LCuXh_IXUi5yNAZY/edit

County-Wide Food Distribution

FCPS is committed to providing information to assist families that rely on free and reduced priced school meals and is providing grab and go meals at no cost for students as several sites throughout the county.  

Westgate Elementary is a curbside food distribution site!! FCPS students are welcome to come to any of the sites to pick up a breakfast and lunch.  Westgate's site will be open from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm.  All FCPS students (regardless of age) are eligible for free grab and go breakfast and lunch. Other County children, under the age of 18, can also receive a meal. Adults may pay $2 for the meals as well. In order to receive federal reimbursement, students must be present to request the meals.

You can also click on this link to find other FCPS food distribution locations:  https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/maps/food-resources

Assistance with Basic Needs

For basic needs of Fairfax residents, the Fairfax County Department of Family Services administers public assistance programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) formerly Food Stamps, as well as Medicaid. FCPS is coordinating with community partners to ensure the locations and timing of food centers and pantries are being communicated with FCPS families.

Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services provides access and referrals to both government and community based resources for Fairfax County residents in need.  If you are facing difficulties - including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, healthcare and more other needs, please call 703-222-0880 for assistance.

Below are links to resources in Fairfax to direct families who need this support. 

• Britepaths Food assistance is by referral only.  Please go to the website link for more information.
• SHARE

• Capital Area Food Bank

• Food for Others If you are in need of food, you may come to one of the neighborhood site distributions. Click on the website link for specific locations and times. The only question that is asked is, “How many people are in your household?” Please bring your own grocery bags!